VATICAN CITY: Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone reported to be moving to luxury penthouse a few steps away from Pope Francis' humble guest-house

Record ID: 230007

  • Title: VATICAN CITY: Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone reported to be moving to luxury penthouse a few steps away from Pope Francis' humble guest-house
  • Date: 22nd April 2014
  • Summary: ROME, ITALY (APRIL 22, 2014) REUTERS) (SOUNDBITE) (Italian) QUOTIDIANO NAZIONALE JOURNALIST, NINA FABRIZIO, SAYING: "Then he wanted to renovate and also combine the neighbouring flat and carry out further renovation works on the roof terrace - so in total we are talking about 700 square metres. This is an extraordinary size that is a big contrast to the living space of Pope Francis, that obviously wasn't chosen accidentally but to show an example of sobriety." VATICAN CITY, VATICAN (APRIL 22, 2014) (REUTERS) ST. PETER'S SQUARE PAPAL APARTMENTS OVERLOOKING ST. PETER'S SQUARE
  • Embargoed: 7th May 2014 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Vatican City State, Italy
  • City:
  • Country: Italy Vatican City State
  • Topics: Religion
  • Reuters ID: LVA9JOSA3TMGR4SFHJXN3ECUIVVF
  • Story Text: The cardinal widely blamed for failing to prevent a series of ethical and financial scandals during the reign of former Pope Benedict is reported to be moving into a luxury apartment after extensive remodelling works are completed.
    Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, 78, left his post as secretary of state, the number two in the Vatican hierarchy, when Pope Francis handed over the role of "deputy pope" to Archbishop Pietro Parolin, a 58-year-old career diplomat in October 2013.
    Since then Cardinal Bertone has remained in the Secretary of State apartments waiting for his new apartment to be ready.
    The story was reported by a journalist from the Quotidiano Nazionale Newspaper, NIna Fabrizio.
    "Everything started from the fact that in a few days, maximum weeks, the ex- Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone will leave his apartment in the Apostolic Palace, that is the official apartment of the Secretary State, because he has lost his job, and he will move to a new apartment in Palazzo San Carlo that is exactly next to at the Santa Marta Guest-house where Pope Francis lives in two bedroom apartment of 60 square metres," explained Fabrizio.
    Pope Francis is still living in the Domus Santa Martha, a modern hotel-style residence inside the Vatican City where he stayed during the conclave that elected him on March 13, 2013.
    "Then he wanted to renovate and also combine the neighbouring flat and and carry out further renovation works on the roof terrace - so in total we are talking about 700 square metres. This is an extraordinary size that is a big contrast to the living space of Pope Francis, that obviously wasn't chosen accidentally but to show an example of sobriety," said Fabrizio.
    Bertone was one of the most controversial secretaries in modern Vatican history.
    He presided over a period beset by scandals and intrigue and came in for heavy criticism and accusations of mismanagement.
    As secretary of state for nearly all of Benedict's eight-year pontificate, he was blamed for not keeping a close enough watch on the Curia, some of whose members have been accused of corruption and cronyism.
    "So this particular issue of the renovation work to enlarge an apartment that was already enormous, which obviously the Pope considered already more than sufficient for the Cardinal's needs, he is obviously upset because his logic is to show by example, you can follow him or not, but you shouldn't be wasteful or exaggerated," added Fabrizio.
    On his elevation to Pope, Francis was immediately shown around the Vatican Papal Apartments by Cardinal Bertone, but he chose to stay at the simple Vatican residence instead of moving into the spacious and regal papal apartments.
    Visitors to the Vatican were adamant that the cardinal was in the wrong.
    "I am sure that the Pope is not happy at all. Not happy at all," said Argentinean pilgrim Edioardo Marchesi.
    "I think your Pope is absolutely right and that your cardinal has to move to a different place, much smaller," said American tourist Marina Rothman laughing,
    "And think about God, not about money," she added.
    Francis has set a more austere tone for the papacy than his predecessor Benedict XVI, who gained a reputation for sumptuous costumes.
    The Pope only uses the offices in the Apostolic Palace and its grand, frescoed reception rooms to meet heads of state and delegations, and continues to appear each Sunday to deliver a blessing from the window overlooking St. Peter's Square.
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